El Paso, Texas, 1959

Another excellent street scene from the Charles Cushman collection, this one back in the States, specifically El Paso Street in El Paso, Texas, shot on January 21, 1959, which looks to be a perfectly typical day in the life of these Texans. What do you see here?

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autobug2says:

October 7, 2011 12:27 pm

Parked on the RH side of the street, a 49 Packard sits in front of the baby blue 49 Plymouth. Behind it, is a 54 Ford Customline sedan. Nearest to the camera on the LH side facing us is a 56 Caddy. Down the block a bit, a blue `50 Chrysler is in front of the tan `55-`56 Chevy pickup. Behind the truck, a `51 Ford and `52 Chevy make their way down the street.

Paul Bsays:

October 7, 2011 2:02 pm

Scottsays:

October 7, 2011 5:24 pm

Thanks, Paul, but it is curious. Google Maps drops you in to a very residential area. You have to head north a long way to get into a more built up area. If this is the right place, much of what is in the photo above has been leveled and/or replaced by a sprawling hospital/medical complex.

The main elements of the photo that might remain, the mountainside in the background, the four large buildings, and any evidence of rails in the street are nowhere to be seen.

john from Staffssays:

October 8, 2011 7:37 am

tziganesays:

October 7, 2011 11:21 pm

On Google Maps, the location is S. El Paso & E. San Antonio, looking north on El Paso. Note the location of the white building in front of you when looking at Google Street View, then the building adjacent to it’s right, the old Hilton Hotel building, farther right, is still there and is now the Plaza Hotel. If you go a click or two south on S. El Paso, you will get a more accurate current day view, but will not be able to see the top of the Plaza Hotel.

tziganesays:

October 7, 2011 11:31 pm

Gary Melarisays:

October 8, 2011 5:54 am

A great old picture to be sure, just like the old days. I see about a ’49 Chevy, a ’49-’50 Ford and many other cool cars. Typical of Hemmings to offer up a neat photo like this. Getting into our 50’s, my wife and I still like the old way, keep the old stuff running [no monthly payment here!]. Our 2 old cruisers are a rare ’59 Chevy Biscayne Utility Sedan [no back seat from the factory and only 1 option, an oil bath air cleaner], and a rare colored Arbor Green ’61 Impala Sport Coupe [Bubbletop]. Both are unrestored, just the way I like them to always feel 18 again when driving them. They are both 3-on-the-tree and get lots of compliments and thumbs up when being driven. Looking forward to spending te rest of our lives right here cruising the Lake Erie Blvd. in our 64 year old home and watching Hemmings for more great articles and pictures! Always has been the Bible of the Old Car hobby! Thanks and keep cruisin’ that old Iron!